USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > The biographical dictionary and portrait gallery of representative men of Chicago, Minnesota cities and the World's Columbian exposition : with illustrations on steel. V. 1 > Part 4
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business grew and developed, until at last they found it necessary to open up and operate mines in Ohio and Pennsylvania, in order to keep pace with the extensive demand which their business had established. At present Mr. Rend is person- ally the proprietor of three of the largest mines in western Pennsylvania, owns a half interest in three mines in Ohio, the owner of two mines in Ohio, and a half owner of two others in Pennsyl- vania, whose combined output give employment to over two thousand men. He, individually, and his firm own seventeen hundred and fifty freight cars, employed in the transportation of their product. Having headquarters at Chicago, their main operations are in the markets of the various Northwestern States. The total output of their mines exceed one million tons per annum, their shipments extending to Canada, where they sell to railroads and to dealers, while they supply with coal large manufactories of Ohio, Illinois, and many other States. They also have supplied for years several railroad companies with the entire fuel used on their lines. From Mr. Rend's mines in Pennsylvania, large amounts of coal are sent by rail to Cleveland and Erie, and thence to Duluth and various ports on Lakes Michigan and Superior. Besides the interests already named, Mr. Rend is extensively engaged in the production of natural oil from several wells sunk on his Laurel Hill mining property in western Pennsylvania.
His property is in the heart of the great oil belt lying partly in Washington and partly in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, and which has become the most prolific and most wonderful oil- producing territory ever yet discovered in this country. In spite, however, of the seemingly unlimited demands upon his time-and being engaged in and conducting such an extensive busi- ness as he does-Col. Rend still manages to find time to devote to many matters of public import- ance. His advocacy of the temperance cause is well known, and, though believing more in the effects of moral suasion, rather than compulsory and legal means, he is, however, now, and always has been, an ardent champion of its principles, and it was, in fact, at his suggestion that Bishop Ireland, of St. Paul, sent Father Cotter (now Bishop of Winona) on a temperance crusade throughout Ohio and Indiana, with the result that seventeen thousand took the pledge, while upon
Father Cleary's continuation of this good work, over seventy-two thousand names were added to the temperance cause, the whole expense of which crusade was-let it be said to his credit- borne by Col. Rend.
Several years ago our subject was elected by the Second Regiment Illinois State Volunteer Infantry as lieutenant-colonel of this regiment, and this position he retained for a number of years.
Of much literary ability, he is a frequent con- tributor to the press, on political and other sub- jects of a public nature, while he is extremely fond of mathematical subjects, and reads the Latin classics, in the original, with case and fluency. Politically, he is independent, but at a time was prominently identified with the Republican party. He is a believer in men and measures, rather than in party. Frequently approached with a view to nomination for the mayoralty and other promi- nent positions, he has hitherto steadily declined to allow his name to be used in this connection. Holding and exercising a potent influence in labor matters, he has always taken a deep interest in al! subjects and problems affecting the interests of employer and employé, while he has succeeded in assisting to establish much friendly intercourse between the miners and employers throughout the coal regions of many States. Six years ago, aided by a few friends, he succeeded in the inau- guration of a movement of industrial conciliation in the mining regions of Ohio and Pennsylvania. That it has been successful (though previously un- tried in this country) is saying but little, while its influence and result have been in every way satisfac- tory, and have much tended to maintain that good feeling which should exist between miners and operators. He is a strong believer in arbitration and councils of conciliation, as opposed to lock- outs and strikes. He was the first president of a meeting held some years ago for this purpose, and sent the first address that was ever issued in be- half of this movement, and by his specches and writings in the public press has helped, to no small extent, to mold a sentiment favorable to this solu- tion of what had hitherto been a problem of con- siderable difficulty. This movement has prevented strikes and labor conflicts in western Pennsylvania and throughout Ohio in nearly all of the lead- ing mining districts for five years, while previously
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one or more strikes occurred every year. The results being so beneficial 'to the cause of labor, it may be imagined in what esteem, high respect and confidence Col. Rend is held by the miners of this country, and by a body of men for whom he has done so much. If evidence were needed on this point we have but to mention one case, and it is similar to numerous others, where the miners of Northern Illinois selected Col. Rend as their representative, a former miner, by name of Will- iams, representing the operators, and Lyman J. Gage, Esq., forming the third party, at an arbitra- tion case which was intended to act as a test for the settlement of the entire mining question in Northern Illinois. Six years ago one of the most bitter struggles that has ever taken place between capital and labor occurred in the Hocking Valley region of Ohio. Taking sides with the men, believing them at the time to be in the right, he had as opponents forty coal operators, backed up by a number of railroad companies, and in par- ticular the Hocking Valley Railroad Co. This company becoming so incensed at his (Col. Rend's) action in the matter, endeavored to vent their spleen on him by refusing to allow him cars, and by advancing the freight rates and otherwise restricting his business operations. They at- tempted to make it impossible for him to suc- cessfully operate his mines, but in this they failed. Col. Rend was not the man to bow submissively to this or any other company, being aware that he but exercised the rights of any ordinary citizen
in doing what he did. Entering an action in the Federal courts, he petitioned for and obtained a mandatory injunction compelling the railroad company to furnish him cars at the usual terms. Firmly maintaining his original position, he com- pelled the company also to recognize and to pay that due respect to his interests which the magni- tude of his operations warranted. A strong and firm believer in legal methods, his position once clear, and his cause just, he is aggressive and extremely positive in character, and though his necessity of recourse to law has been but little whenever such necessity occurs, he is seldom to be found on the losing side.
Of medium height, robust build, and somewhat fair complexion, he is of a sanguine highly ner- vous temperament, possessing much foresight, keen perception and administrative ability of no mean order; he is extremely energetic and a great worker.
He is a Catholic in religion. As is well known, he is singularly free from all religious prej- udice, a hater of bigotry in every form, and one who abhors religious controversy, and every- thing which tends to create animosity and ill- feeling between citizens and people of a com- mon country.
Married December 27, 1864, to Miss Elizabeth C. Barry (born in Nova Scotia and of Irish parentage). Their home at 153 Ashland avenue is noted for its elegance and comfortable sur- roundings.
1517060
WM. C. D. GRANNIS,
CHICAGO, ILL.
W TM. C. D. GRANNIS, one of the most prominent bankers of Chicago, is a Can- adian by birth, having been born in the town of Hatley, Province of Quebec, in 1826.
His parents, Wm. Grannis and Nancy M. (Dus- tin) Grannis, were natives of the United States, having been reared in the State of New Hamp- shire. His grandfather, Moody Dustin, was an ensign in the Revolutionary war, receiving his commission in 1775 from John Hancock. The interesting document conveying this commission is now in the possession of Mr. Grannis.
Our subject received his school education in his native town, and at the age of nineteen began his business career as clerk in a local drug store. He continued in this occupation for seven years, until 1852, when he determined to seek an oppor- tunity to advance. Following this idea, he came to Chicago and accepted a position in a clerical capacity in the wholesale grocery establishment of M. D. Gilman & Co. He continued with this firm, and guarded their interests so faithfully and well, that he made his services almost indispensa- ble to them, and they concluded to take him into
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the firm, offering him a partnership. He availed himself of the proposition, and entered the busi- ness, which was then continued under the style of Gilman, Grannis & Farwell.
Mr. Grannis continued in the wholesale grocery business until 1879, when he retired to devote his entire time to his banking interests, he having been a director in the Union National Bank since 1873. In 1880 he was elected vice-president of that financial institution. Having fulfilled his
duties in such a manner as to meet with the ap- proval of the directorate of the bank, they further honored him, in June, 1883, by tendering him the presidential chair, which he accepted and occupied until 1885, when he resigned his position and sev- ered his connection with the Union National Bank, and organized the Atlas National Bank, of which institution he has been the presiding officer and controlling spirit ever since.
During the forty years of Mr. Grannis' business career that have been passed in Chicago, his busi- ness record has been unsullied and is clean. His reputation both for ability and integrity is of the very highest. In the executive position he occu- pies in the bank that he organized, he uses all of the faculties that have made him the acknowledged peer, if not the superior, of any financier in the city of Chicago to-day, and the success of the
Atlas National Bank is acknowledged by all to be due to the liberal, yet conservative, policy of its presiding officer, W. C. D. Grannis.
He is connected with several outside corpora- tions, being a director in the Libby, McNeill & Libby Co .; is also connected with the Union Rendering Company, and the treasurer of the Oakwood Cemetery Association. In social cir- cles he is both very widely and favorably known. He is a member of the Chicago, Com- mercial, Washington Park and Iroquois Social Clubs.
Mr. Grannis has assisted both with purse and hand many worthy enterprises; he was one of the contributors to the Manual Training School.
In 18- he married Miss Clara J. Brown. They have three children, Jane E. Grannis, Maud Mary Grannis, and Uri Balcom Grannis.
Such is a brief sketch of his biography. He is a man of sound business principles, who has, by his own exertions and indomitable pluck, pushed himself, step by step, to the high position which he now holds, and it is acknowledged by the busi- ness men and leading financiers of this city that there does not exist in the city of Chicago, to- day, a man deserving of a higher place amongst its representative men, than does our worthy subject, William C. D. Grannis.
WILLIAM C. GOUDY,
CHICAGO, ILL.
T HAT William C. Goudy is a man of great and commanding ability is, beyond ques- tion, the verdict of every company of intelligent men in any part of this country. Such, indeed, is the respect with which his name is spoken, and such the eminence of those with which it is coupled, that even a stranger, unaquainted with the details of his life work, would be at once im- pressed by its mention. It is without surprise, then, that in the writing of a contemporary, highly distinguished in the same profession, we read of him that : " He realizes in a pre-eminent degree the loftiest conception of an attorney, using the term in its broadest application."
The fame of such a man is not to be increased by reiteration of facts pertaining to his public and professional career, known and universally ad-
mitted. We need only give, as simply as possi- ble, the outlines of the life and activity which have led up to the position which he now occupies.
William C. Goudy was born in Indiana, on the fifteenth of May, 1824. His mother, Jane Ains- lie, was of English descent, and was born in Pennsylvania. His father, who sprang from the old Scotch-Irish ancestry which has furnished us so many men of strong brain and hardy fibre, was born in Ireland. Others of the family resided in Scotland, and one of this branch, John Goudie, might well have been our subject's prototype, if we take the humorous testimony of Robert Burns in the poem beginning :
" O Goudie! terror of the Whigs, Dread of black coats and rev'rend wigs."
Mr. Goudy's father was bred to the trade of a
Million - 6. Soudy
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carpenter, but abandoned this to go into the book-binding and printing business. In 1833, having removed to Jacksonville, Ill., he began the publication of "Goudy's Farmers' Almanac." This was the first magazine of its kind in the Northwest, and became exceedingly popular with agriculturists. In 1834, in company with Samuel S. Brooks, he undertook the publication of a Democratic paper at Jacksonville, and to Messrs. Goudy and Brooks is due the enduring honor of recognizing and bringing to public notice the ex- traordinary merits of Stephen A. Douglas.
As the son of a printer already widely known, it would seem to have been quite natural for Mr. Goudy to become a journalist. Fortunately, how- ever, his predilection for the law was strong enough to cause him to disregard this opportun- ity. To better fit himself for his chosen profes- sion, he entered Illinois College, at Jacksonville, Ill., whence he graduated in 1845. That institu- tion has since conferred upon him the degrees of Master of Arts and Doctor of Laws. He then taught school in Decatur, Ill., at the same time reading the elements of law. His more advanced studies were pursued in the office of Judge Stephen T. Logan, for many years a partner of Abraham Lincoln.
In 1847 Mr. Goudy, having removed to Lewis- town, Ill., was admitted to the bar. He entered into partnership with the well-known Hon. Heze- kiah M. Wead, and stepped at once into profes- sional prominence. He very soon became active in the political affairs of the district, and in 1853 was elected State's attorney of the Tenth Judicial Circuit. This position he resigned in two years, and in 1856 was elected State Senator for the Dis- trict of Fulton and McDonough. During this period of service as senator occurred the memora- ble contest between Lincoln and Douglas.
It was a time fraught with the most weighty and important issues which have ever confronted us as a nation, and the young legislator was a participator in the events which formed the pre- lude to the greatest occurrence in the history of the United States. To his great credit be it said that he was a worthy coadjutor of men like Judge Gillespie, N. B. Judd, Samuel W. Fuller and ex- Governor Palmer during those stirring days.
Perhaps no fact better proves the reality of Mr. Goudy's affection for his profession than that,
amid the arduous duties and the many distrac- tions of politics, he still attended, with unchang- ing faithfulness, to his law practice. He appeared repeatedly in the courts in many different coun- ties of Illinois, and also in the supreme court of the State.
Mr. Goudy removed to Chicago in 1859. He has given especial attention to the law of real property, upon which he is one of the highest au- thorities in the country. An idea of his work in this State may be formed from the reports of the supreme court of Illinois, in every volume of which for the past thirty-five years have appeared cases argued by him. He has appeared in the higher courts of nearly every State throughout the West, and in the supreme court of the United States has been leading counsel in many impor- tant cases. The recent enactment regarding " original packages " is an outgrowth of a decision in a cause argued by Mr. Goudy in the United States Supreme Court, declaring unconstitutional a statute of Iowa which prohibited railroads from bringing intoxicants into that State. He also argued the famous Munn case, by which was established the power of the States to fix the maximum rates to be charged by warehouses, rail- ways, persons or corporations engaged in a pur- suit affected with a public interest. Another in- stance in which Mr. Goudy did effective service, was in the great railroad cases of Minnesota, which resulted in the annulment of the Minnesota statute, authorizing the fixing of railroad rates by the State Commission. Many additional cases might be cited, but it is unnecessary. His work is of a nature which commands universal atten- tion, and the history of his labors is to be found embodied in the literature of law. For some years he has been counsel for the Chicago and North-Western Railway Company, which oper- ates one of the largest railroad systems in the country. In domestic life, Mr. Goudy has been particularly happy. He was married in 1849 to Miss Helen Judd, who is a worthy sharer of his success, as she has been a faithful helpmeet in its attainment. They have two children, a daughter and a son.
Mr. Goudy has always been a staunch sup- porter of Democracy, having cast his first vote for Lewis Cass in 1848. No better warrant of his conscientious and distinguished service need be
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had than that when there was a vacancy in the United States Senate, owing to the death of Stephen A. Douglas, Mr. Goudy was the choice of a large portion of the Democracy of Illinois as Douglas' successor. Although that honor was finally awarded to Mr. Richardson, of Quincy, a
tribute of high import had been paid his fellow candidate. It was an expression in most touch- ing form of the fact that among the great men of his time, whose labors have rendered them not only honored, but beloved, his countrymen de- light to number William C. Goudy.
THOMAS B. BRYAN.
CHICAGO, ILL.
W HEN the " World's Columbian Exposition" shall have finally closed its doors, and its history shall have been written for the gratifica- tion of succeeding generations, there is no name amongst the many prominent ones so closely con- nected with it that will stand out more bril- liantly, or command greater admiration, than will that of the Hon. Thos. B. Bryan.
The citizens of Chicago are deeply indebted to Mr. Bryan for the magnificent services he ren- dered, for his ceaseless and tireless work, and the great energy and devotion he displayed in ob- taining for this city the much-coveted prize-the Columbian Exposition. Mr. Bryan has been a leading spirit in the matter from the commence- ment. In fact, it was he who framed the resolu- tions presented at the first citizens' meeting, held in the Common Council chamber on August first of last year, the result of which was that Chicago became a candidate, and ultimately the victor, in one of the keenest competitions, probably, ever entered into by American cities. Mr. Bryan's ardent championship of Chicago's claims, his eloquent appeals throughout the country, and his masterly and unanswerable reply to New York's advocate and champion, the great and only Chauncey Depew, before the Senate Committee at Washington, will be long remembered, and un- doubtedly did more than anything else to secure the prize. His presentation of Chicago's claims was so effective and so adroitly put, that the re- sult was electrical, and even New York, with all her boasted superiority of social distinction and commercial enterprise, was forced to yield, and to Mr. Bryan, beyond a doubt, is due the credit.
He was born at Alexandria, Va., December 22, 1828; he is the son of Daniel and Mary (Barbour) Bryan. His parents, both on his father's and
mother's side, were people of considerable cul- ture and influence. His father served in the Senate of Virginia, and two of his mother's brothers, James and Philip Barbour, held the highest official positions under the government of that day as Cabinet Minister, Speaker of the Na- tional House of Representatives, Judge of the United States Supreme Court, Minister to Eng- land, and as Governor of Virginia. Our subject graduated from the law school of Harvard Univer- sity in 1848, and shortly afterwards entered upon the practice of law in Cincinnati, Ohio, forming a partnership with Judge Hart of that city in 1849. In 1852 Mr. Bryan came west, settling in Chicago when the city was little more than an overgrown village, and shortly afterwards forming the law firm of Mather, Taft & Bryan, subsequently changed to Bryan & Borden, and still later to that of Bryan & Hatch. He has made office counselling his specialty, and for forty years, more or less, Mr. Bryan has resided the greater part of his time in Chicago, with the exception of several years spent in Washington, Colorado and in European travel. He succeeded Governor Shep. herd as one of the Commissioners (together with Governor Denison), as executive of the District of Columbia, His administration was marked by the same ability, honesty and prudence in expen- diture that has always governed his actions. His withdrawal, voluntarily, from this office was made the signal for a spontaneous memorial from the citizens, headed by the philanthropist Corcoran, and signed by all the bankers and prominent business men of the Capital, and this was pre- sented to him on his vacation of the office to re- sume his duties in his adopted city. The founder and promoter of many public enterprises, Mr. Bryan's work has always been crowned with suc-
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cess. A detailed list, even of his public enter- prises, would fill more space than we could devote to what is but, at the best, a general sketch. But while this is so, there are one or two which de- serve and require more than a mere passing notice.
The originator and sole proprietor (formerly) of Graceland Cemetery, Mr. Bryan purchased this tract of land, having found that the population of the North Side was inevitably encroaching on the old cemetery (which now forms part of Lincoln Park), and, if only from a sanitary point of view, this was extremely
undesirable. Graceland alone (with its beautifully laid-out and well-kept walks and shrubs, etc.) would be a worthy me- morial of his public enterprise and regard for the prosperity and health of the community at large. He also built " Bryan Hall " (the site of which is now occupied by the Grand Opera House), and here many a memorable war meeting was held, and innumerable entertainments for patriotic ob- jects. Mr. Bryan was president of the great Northwestern Fair for the relief of soldiers of the Union in 1865, for, though a Southerner by birth, all his affiliations and sympathies had ever been with the cause of the Union. As the direct result of his presidency, the Fair yielded over $300,000 to the invalid soldiers' fund-such was the repose placed in his integrity, and in his faculty of harmonizing the conflicting interests of the various officers and committees. If still yet another monument to his patriotism and loyalty were required, the Soldiers' Home, built under his direction and with money advanced by him, is that monument, and for many years its president, his work on its behalf was, and is, unflagging. In fact, his distinguished and arduous service during
the war was such that no honors were esteemed too great, and amongst others accorded him was that of being elected a member of the Loyal Legion, etc. It was to Mr. Bryan's forethought and enterprise that Chicago owed the Fidelity Safe Depository, which passed, unscathed, through the flames of 1871, and was the means of saving many millions to the citizens.
Mr. Bryan married in 1850 Miss Byrd Page, of Virginia, the issue being a son-Charles P. Bryan, now a member of the Illinois Legislature, and formerly of that of Colorado, and who by profes- sion is a journalist and magazine writer of consid- erable repute-and a daughter.
As a speaker, Mr. Bryan is vigorous, eloquent and convincing, one who controls his audience, and rarely fails to carry his point; and, in addi- tion, one who seldom speaks unless he has some- thing to say well worth the hearing. His ban- quet and other public speeches-unpremeditated as many of them are-bristle with eloquent phrases and happy allusions, while they are marked with that good sense and general culture which is, and always has been, so characteristic of Thomas B. Bryan.
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